A total of 211 suspects detained in an operation targeting an Israel-linked international illegal forex fraud network in Istanbul have been referred to court, authorities said Monday.
The investigation is being conducted under the leadership of the Interior Ministry and the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, with contributions from Interpol, the Cybercrime Department and the Interpol General Secretariat.
The Istanbul Provincial Police Department’s Cybercrime and Anti-Migrant Smuggling units are also involved in the investigation.
Authorities detained 10 additional suspects, bringing the total number of detainees to 211 from 201.
Of the suspects, 157 were taken to Bayrampaşa State Hospital for medical checks before being referred to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan. The remaining 54 suspects had previously been referred to the courthouse.
Authorities identified 40 alleged call centers and financial offices linked to 25 companies operating as part of the Israel-linked international forex fraud network in Türkiye.
The investigation found that numerous Turkish and foreign nationals were working at the call centers.
In simultaneous raids targeting the call centers and financial offices, authorities initially detained 191 suspects.
Assets worth TL 1.5 billion ($41.5 million) believed to have been obtained through criminal activity were seized, along with 80 vehicles and 12 properties. Bank, cryptocurrency and company accounts were also blocked.
Police later detained 10 suspects who were not found at their registered addresses during the initial operation.
Of the suspects detained, nine are Israeli nationals, while the remaining suspects are nationals of several other countries.
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